News / Releases

HCFCD Estimates $74 Million in Priority Repairs After Harvey

Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) has released a preliminary list of $74 million in priority repairs for Harris County’s bayous, creeks, and drainage infrastructure in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.

According to HCFCD, priority repairs pose an immediate and severe threat to residential or commercial areas, or to public infrastructure such as utilities or schools. Repairs such as sinkholes and slope failures, failed outfall pipes, and concrete voids are also prioritized according to severity.

“Hurricane Harvey, with its excessive rainfall and long duration, did extensive damage to the District’s drainage infrastructure,” said Flood Control District Executive Director Russ Poppe. “Repairing that damage will require sustained effort over many months, working closely with our federal partners that will be helping fund these efforts.”

The number of priority repair projects will likely grow, and the total cost of those repairs is expected to exceed $100 million. In addition to the preliminary repairs, HCFCD will need to make repairs to damaged stormwater detention basins. Final estimates will be available as Flood Control District staff set individual project limits and perform additional assessments.
Since Hurricane Harvey hit in late August, the Flood Control District has committed almost $6 million in local dollars for initial emergency repairs and authorized nearly $4 million in projects, which are eligible for federal reimbursements.

Related

Harris County Flood Control District Targets Post-Harvey Stormwater Channel Blockages

Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) continues to remove debris clogging Harris County’s 22 watersheds more than six months after Hurricane Harvey.
During the storm, more than a trillion gallons of stormwater washed through Harris County’s bayou system, leaving it clogged with storm debris and reducing drainage. HCFCD has found objects as large as refrigerators and automobiles in local waterways.
So far, HCFCD has removed about 101,000 cubic yards

HCFCD Receives Federal Funding for Voluntary Home Buyouts

Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) recently announced it will receive $25.6 million in federal funding to begin buyouts of homes identified to have a significant flood risk.
With the current funding and an $8.6 million required local match, the Flood Control District estimates it will be able to purchase approximately 169 homes.
The allocation was part of the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) in response to a grant application from HCFCD. The original grant application requested funding

HCFCD Buyouts

Did your home flood? The Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) is currently gauging interest in potential home buyout options for Harris County residents who experienced flooding.
HCFCD estimates more than 107,000 residential parcels exist within regulated floodplains. If your home floods often, HCFCD’s voluntary home buyout program may make the most financial sense for you. Many of these homes, built before the city and county imposed land development regulations, exist in areas where flood mitigation

Honoring Harvey's Heroes

We’re proud of our Hurricane Harvey heroes! Recently, we had the chance to show them off during the Tomball Chamber of Commerce’s annual holiday parade. This year’s theme, “Texas Strong: Honoring Harvey’s Heroes,” recognized public officials, emergency responders, county employees, and countless other volunteers who worked through Hurricane Harvey.
Grand Marshal's included Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, Harris County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Precinct 4 Commissioner R. Jack Cagle, Precinct 4 employees, the Precinct 4 Constable’s Office, City of Tomball, and the Texas National Guard.

Cypresswood Annex Repairs Progressing

Repairs are progressing on a Harris County service building shared by the Precinct 4 Constable’s Office, Harris County Sheriff’s Office, the tax assessor-collector's office, and Justice of the Peace Court Precinct 4, Place 1.
The Cypresswood annex, located at 6831 Cypresswood Drive in Spring, has been closed since August after being damaged by several feet of water during Hurricane Harvey. The Precinct 4’s Constable’s Office section was the first to be repaired, and is now in use by officers and administrative staff.

How Businesses Can Recover from Harvey

Neighbors helping neighbors has become a common theme post Harvey. But for disaster-affected businesses, good help may be harder to find.
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), 40 percent of disaster-affected businesses never recover.
In response, local chambers and businesses are offering assistance to affected businesses.
The Lake Houston Area Relief Fund, established by Humble Area Assistance Ministries (HAAM), and organized by Insperity, Somebody Cares Humble, Lake Houston Area Chamber